March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Orono Legion post greeting all troops

Before the troops returning from the Persian Gulf are swallowed up by a sea of raucous celebration in Bangor, they first pass a handful of steel-haired, blue-uniformed veterans who shake their hands and thank them for a job well done.

After more than 120 flights, whether at 4 p.m. or 4 a.m., a contingent from the American Legion Post No. 84 in Orono is at Bangor International Airport to greet each arrival.

Like most aspects of Operation Welcome Home, the Legion greetings began as a plan to meet a few planes and then call it quits. Before long, everything blossomed.

“It started from the very first one, and we haven’t missed one yet,” said Fred Bowers, commander of the post’s honor guard, as he offered his hand to troops passing through to the lobby. “It caught on, and we just kept going.”

Of the 25 members of the honor guard — there are more than 500 veterans in the post — a half dozen or so show up for each flight, splitting the duty in shifts.

Lined along a rope barrier in the hall between the international arrivals terminal and the lobby, the Legion members are sure that their work, making the troops feel welcome, is important. “I know it is,” Bowers said.

On Monday, Patriot’s Day, the troops seemed appreciative.

“Thanks for the support,” said one as he prepared to reboard the plane bound for his home.

“You got it, buddy,” replied Joe King Jr. “Have a safe trip home.”

Most of the troops, Bowers said, are surprised by the reception, although many had heard reports before arriving. Some of the Vietnam veterans say that it’s about time, said Bowers, himself a veteran of World War II and Vietnam.

“You can’t give it up when you see what it does to people,” he said, adding that the welcome had brought many soldiers to tears.

One of the familiar sites each day is King’s father, Joe Sr., an 82-year-old veteran of World War II who has greeted 100 flights. King often stands with his son.

Although the elder King missed a few days because his wife is ill, he frequently can be found at the airport with the younger ex-soldiers. “If my wife wasn’t sick I’d be out here every day,” said King, who was mentioned in a recent story about the BIA welcome in U.S. News & World Report.

The national stories about the city’s welcomes have brought calls and letters from former Navy and Air Force buddies from all over the country, said Bowers, wearing a chest full of ribbons and a hat heavy with Legion pins.

Asked if he thinks the welcome glorifies war, Bowers is quick to say that the effect is just the opposite, that it has helped to unite the country and heal old emotional wounds from previous conflicts.

“I really think this has pulled the country together, myself,” he said.

Grateful chaplain

EDITOR’S NOTE: James Bishop, an Army chaplain who passed through Bangor International Airport on his way home, has written to express his thanks for the support from the city and the American Legion. Following is the April 9 letter Bishop wrote to Joe King Jr. of American Legion Post No. 84 in Orono:

I want to express my appreciation to you, American Legion Post 84, and all the great people of Bangor, Maine for the hero (sic) welcome given to us on Saturday, 6 April 1991. This was my third time to return from an armed conflict. In the past I have been spit upon, called a baby killer plus a number of other names, and been ignored but this is the first time I have been treated like a hero and I like it! Thanks to you and the people of Bangor, you made it happen. As far as I am concerned you are all the real heroes.

God Bless You All,

Chaplain James Bishop


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